President Bola Tinubu has approved the full payment of allowances and match bonuses for the Super Falcons, ahead of their final match against Morocco in the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, made the announcement while speaking with reporters in Abuja.

He also confirmed that all entitlements, up to and including the final on July 26, had been disbursed for immediate payment to players, coaches, and officials.

Dikko described the gesture as “policy in motion” and a demonstration of a renewed commitment to Nigerian athletes under Tinubu’s leadership.

He assured that this would now be the standard practice going forward, timely payments without drama or delays.

Dikko noted that the move also extends to Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, who are set to begin their 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket campaign in Côte d’Ivoire, saying that D’Tigress will receive improved allowances and bonuses.

“This is the kind of sports administration we are building, one rooted in dignity, trust, and shared prosperity. Future generations would appreciate President Tinubu’s reforms in the sports sector,” he said.

The House of Representatives has passed a resolution to probe the abysmal performance of team Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympics, to forestall future occurrences.

According to the resolution passed on Thursday, the House expressed worry that none of the 82 athletes who represented the country, returned with a medal.

The lawmakers decried the huge budget of over ₦12bn for the event which yielded nothing.

The House also urged President Bola Tinubu to establish a commission of enquiry on sports arbitration in Nigeria.

The last time Nigeria did not win a medal at the Olympics was in 2012.

The minister of sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has admonished Nigerian athletes to treat the upcoming African Championship in Cameroon as a perfect rehearsal for the Olympic Games in Paris.

Senator Enoh in a statement by his S A media, Diana Nsan stated following the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s (AFN) announcement of a formidable list of 40 athletes that will represent the country at the African Championships in Douala.

Among notable names are Tobi Amusan, Favour Ofili, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, and Chidi Okezie, some of Nigeria’s biggest stars heading to the competition.

The Minister emphasized the importance of this championship as a precursor to the Olympics, highlighting its role in preparing athletes for podium success at the world’s biggest sporting event in Paris.

“The African Athletics Championship should serve as a dress rehearsal for the Olympics,” Senator Enoh stated. “I charge all our flag bearers to represent the green and white flag with pride and aim to bring back the first position trophy at the end of the tournament.”

He also advised the athletes to be cautious about their diet and hydration, noting the significance of this Olympic year and the heightened scrutiny they will face.

“Knowing fully well the remarkable achievements you had in Ghana, I believe you can replicate and even surpass those feats. You have done it at the African Games, and you can do it again.”

Senator Enoh’s call to action is a motivational boost for the athletes as they prepare for the African Championships, with the eyes of the nation and the world upon them. The dedication and hard work of these athletes continue to inspire hope and pride among Nigerians.